CD Reviews

The Frogabilly Chorus

Paul Ess. | Holywell, N.Wales,UK. | 11/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Delightful compilation from the strange rockabilly world of Al Roberts Jr, taking it's 27 broad slices from his two long deleted albums; 'Frogabilly' and the astounding 'Rockabilly Guitar Man' both released around 1978/79. Roberts was an Eddie Cochran wannabe who operated in the pubs and clubs of London 'til his unfortunate demise in a motorcycle crash. He played a mean guitar and did a good line...(!)

His songs were clever and funny (don't worry readers - it was a long time ago.) with razor sharpness and no lack of crunch and stomp.

He gets around a bit; one minute he's on death row for killing his manager, who apparently stole some royalties, the next he's chaining his Boris Karloff lookalike mother-in-law to the wall. He's got ditties ranging from Elvis exploding coz of burger abuse to denying his grandfather imbibes controlled substances and, most distressingly, spiders in his bath.

The goodwill (except when he's singing 'bout his dastardly manager) from this disc is warming. Roberts loves rock'n'roll and he wants for us to be the same. Any fan of music will recognise the genuine affection he has for his craft and won't fail to be refreshed by his sunny groove.

You need psychiatric help if you don't got this cd, particularly at the crazy prices I saw when I was futilely trying to research it all across the net.

One interesting thing I did discover was that Al Roberts Jr. was a pseudonym for some-one called Bob Clifford; the same guy who did this cd's sleeve notes - in 1997! Obviously Roberts was ripped off to such a degree, he had to do a Lord Lucan in order to escape, and waited 20 years 'til the heat was finally off. With a thankful nod to Frank Scott."